Synthesis, polymerization and characterization of substituted dithieno[3,4-b : 3 ',4 '-d]thiophenes

Chemical or electrochemical oxidation of substituted dithieno[3,4-b:3',4'-d ]thiophenes provides polymers with defined regiochemical structures. These materials have lower bandgaps (0.7-0.9 eV) than the unsubstituted fused het eroarene. Potential cycling of the 1,3-dimethyl substituted polymer film sh ows repetitive p- and n-dopability. The chemically-prepared dioctyl analog is soluble in common solvents such as chloroform, dichloromethane and THF. However, overoxidation of the polymers at an electrode surface presents a l imitation to the polymerization of substituted analogs of the parent fused heteroarene.